Abstract

We report a case concerning the association ITP and HCV in a patient of 51 years, followed A3F4 according to Metavir stage.

The case presented showed that the platelet count was low prior to the initiation of combination antiviral therapy. After starting combination antiviral therapy (PEG IFN and Ribavirin) the platelet count showed a important drop which justified its stop.The association of autoimmune thrombocytopenia and the C hepatitis virus was selected to the presence of high titers of antibodies against platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa, GP Ia/IIa, and/or GP Ib/IX, and no other mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of HCV-associated thrombocytopenia was identified. Corticosteroid therapy was started but, there was no significant improvement in the platelet count. The predinsone was withdrawn The use of the combination antiviral therapy aggravated the thrombocytopenia then the IFN was stopped, 2 months later, the platelets stabilized under Ribavirin only.The IFN reintrocuced and the viral RNA downgraded after 7 months.The mechanism of the association HCV-ITP is not yet well established, we directly incriminate the hepatitis C virus and also the Process with immunological cellular mediation.

To summrize, This association represents a great therapeutic difficulty requiring an multidisciplinary management of hépatologue and a hematologist.